U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) have reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation to help close the wage gap between women and men working the same jobs. Women make just 77 cents for every dollar made by a man for equal work, costing women and their families $434,000 over their careers.
In his second inaugural address, President Obama, who signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009, called for equal pay for equal work once and for all. If passed, the Paycheck Fairness Act achieves that goal by closing the loopholes that allow pay discrimination to occur in the first place.
“Equal pay is not just a problem for women, but for families, who are trying to pay their bills, trying to get ahead, trying to achieve the American Dream, and are getting a smaller paycheck than they have earned for their hard work,” said DeLauro, who has introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act for each of the past eight congresses. “The Paycheck Fairness Act will help the Equal Pay Act fulfill its intended objective, offer real protections to ensure equal pay for equal work, and see that women are paid the same as the other half of our nation’s workforce for the same job.”
“Lower pay for equal work is an injustice that has gone on for too long,” said Diane Babineaux, Chief of Staff to the IAM International President. “As President Obama declared, ‘It is time to act,’ and equal pay for equal work is an issue we must act on now.”
IAM members and activists can help pass the Paycheck Fairness Act by calling their Senators and Representative. Use the Capitol switchboard number, (202) 224-3121. The Senate legislation currently has 22 cosponsors while the House bill has 130.
Click here for more information from the Coalition of Labor Union Women about the Paycheck Fairness Act and on calling your Senators and Representative.
